







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Did I? I don't know... What is it? | |
| I think you wake me up more often than mosquitoes do! | |
| Certainly honey, do you want a glass or a bottle? | |
| It looks like you've got some experience with coffee. | |
| But I think that's only for older women. | |
| Girls, this is Diego. | |
| Don't worry Mike, I think this one is better. | |
| Umm, oh yes, I can see it now, the ad number is 9845... | |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | |
| By the way, I like the colour of the walls... What do you think? | |
| I think we need to put some of your clothes away. | |
| I would like to... But I have other things to do... | |
| I am planning to sleep in a bit since it's a holiday. | |
| 50% of 135 is 67.50... And it comes to totally 202.50. | |
| I mean, do you cook Asian or other kinds of cuisines? | |
| Hm, okay... I think I got it, is it like Pinocchio? | |
| Is it because the other tenants don't want pets? | |
| I usually take the train. | |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | |